Trying Something New
Who knew my second post would be non-sewing (but really sewing) related?
I decided to try weaving.
The idea came from an ever growing collection of scrap fabric. I hold onto all my scraps (even thread) and use them for stuffing etc. But what about those strips of fabric too big to use for stuffing but too small to be used in a garment… quilt? Frankenstein sew? weave into new fabric? I have admittedly weaved before, when I was in Japan, my home-stay weaved fabric from scraps, and I loved the process, it is very easy to just relax into the methodical rhythm and find that happy place, so naturally I was drawn to this process over quilting or Frankenstein sewing.
The idea is to make the coveted Closet Core pouf using fabric woven from scraps, and fill with thread and other scraps too small to find a home. But first I needed to learn how to weave on a rigid heddle loom…
My first weaving project is from Making Magazine, Issue No. 6, Black and White The Wax and Wane Scarf by Casey Ryder. This pattern is based on the Fibonacci sequence (which if you know me I am an engineer by day, geek all the time), with the warp the sequence, and the weft your hearts content. I used the Ashford Knitters Loom, which is designed to be used against a table, is super portable and folds down (with work still intact).
2 balls of both alpaca air and mahu Chaska wool were used, the weft did stick on occasion due to the sticky fiber nature of alpaca, but this wool is bouncy, soft and drapes beautifully.
I managed to warp the loom by myself (with the help of a bookcase). The reed, which moves up and down seperating the warps would not stay in the down position for my first few weaving sessions, I later learnt that the back of the loom is to be angled upwards (not flat), resting on a table which allows the reed to lock into the downwards position.
The scarf took three evenings from warping to weaving off.
Bring on the pouf!
Below is an assortment of photos from beginning to the final result… enjoy
PS If you work with wool fibers, and you have a cat, you know that wool is a furrbaby magnet.
